Kayla Conn is a young country singer/songwriter, but not unlike a young Taylor Swift, is already making high quality music. She has a youthful quality to her vocals and lyrics, and creates music aimed to listeners her age, but also to those who are young at heart. This EP contains music for any occasion, from blasting from your truck, having a dance party with friends, or for times when you are feeling emotional and missing loved ones. Kayla Conn masterfully mixes all the elements of popular country music to create a very well done debut.
The EP kicks off with "Ride." This track is an interesting one, because it is one I would usually write off as a throwaway track, because of the lyrical content. It is a track that is part of the "female truck song" fad with lyrics like "Boys and pick up trucks, look so dang good when they're all jacked up." Even though this is not a standout track, it does have a place on the EP. The guitar heavy country-rock production is a great way to open the record. This song is a good song, but not close to the best Conn can do, pulling listeners in to hear more.
"Still Isn't Over" is the first true love song on the EP, and is a somewhat traditional acoustic breakup track. There are many cliche lyrics thrown in throughout the song, but Conn sings this song beautifully, and it is a classic teenage track that deserves to be on every teenage musician's EP.
"Still Isn't Over" is the first true love song on the EP, and is a somewhat traditional acoustic breakup track. There are many cliche lyrics thrown in throughout the song, but Conn sings this song beautifully, and it is a classic teenage track that deserves to be on every teenage musician's EP.
The next track is a standout track for sure. "Jump Start" is a more traditional country song, with an extended metaphor throughout the track comparing a broke-down truck to a broken heart. Lyrically, this is one of the best tracks on the EP. There are points on this EP when it does feel like a 15 year old wrote the songs (which is true), but this song seems like it was written by someone much older and much more experienced in love. This track is very Taylor Swift-esqe in that way, with the knowledge of love beyond her years. One key lyric of the track is the end of the verse and the beginning of the chorus, where Conn sings:
"Won't be long till the engine's shot
Just like love, left me cold and stuck
Needed a jump start for my broke down heart,"
The mandolins clucking along and the upbeat drums create a joyful, but realistic love track, and one of the best on the EP.
"Memory For Two" is another highlight. It is a country-pop song dedicated to Conn's Grandfather, who was affected by Alzheimer's. In the vein of "Hero's Song" (Lily Nelsen) or "3000 Words" (Adrienne Taylor), this track goes into depth about how a disease that a person has can really affect everyone that person loves. The chorus emphasizes this, and how Conn's Grandmother has to be strong and work through this for him. Although not the best vocal performance by Conn, this song is truly beautiful, and details a part of human life that is not often discussed in popular music.
Conn has showed off her lyrics and vocals on this EP, and demonstrates that she has talent, and she's in it for the long haul. However, this EP is her debut EP, and Conn still has a little bit farther to go before she finds her unique musical style and establishes her sound. Despite that, this EP is a strong leap in the right direction.
Best tracks: Jump Start, Memory For Two
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 3 and 3/4 crowns
"Won't be long till the engine's shot
Just like love, left me cold and stuck
Needed a jump start for my broke down heart,"
The mandolins clucking along and the upbeat drums create a joyful, but realistic love track, and one of the best on the EP.
"Memory For Two" is another highlight. It is a country-pop song dedicated to Conn's Grandfather, who was affected by Alzheimer's. In the vein of "Hero's Song" (Lily Nelsen) or "3000 Words" (Adrienne Taylor), this track goes into depth about how a disease that a person has can really affect everyone that person loves. The chorus emphasizes this, and how Conn's Grandmother has to be strong and work through this for him. Although not the best vocal performance by Conn, this song is truly beautiful, and details a part of human life that is not often discussed in popular music.
Conn has showed off her lyrics and vocals on this EP, and demonstrates that she has talent, and she's in it for the long haul. However, this EP is her debut EP, and Conn still has a little bit farther to go before she finds her unique musical style and establishes her sound. Despite that, this EP is a strong leap in the right direction.
Best tracks: Jump Start, Memory For Two
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 3 and 3/4 crowns
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